Three days later
Su Hao was summoned to the main hall by his father, Su Ming.
"Your transfer order to Qingyuan County has arrived. You'll report to the Qingyuan County Constabulary tomorrow. Go pack up and see what you need to bring," Su Ming said, handing Su Hao the transfer order from the table.
"It came so quickly!" Su Hao exclaimed excitedly, taking the order from his father.
He had been eagerly waiting for this transfer. Once there, far from the capital, he could not only lay low but also have some fun.
In the Western Liang Empire, the head constable was on the same level as the county magistrate. Once in Qingyuan County, Su Hao would become the dominant figure there.
As for the county magistrate, Su Hao didn't consider him a concern. He'd find a way to either win him over or incapacitate him.
"The Pacification Commission at the prefecture level has already issued the transfer notice. Those watching you outside should have learned that you're leaving Fu City," Su Ming continued. "If anyone wants to make a move against you, they'll likely do so on the road. I'm quite curious to see who might try to harm you. Perhaps this will give your old man a chance to stretch his muscles."
A cold glint flashed in Su Ming's eyes.
"Dad's quite fierce, huh?" Su Hao thought to himself, sensing the aura emanating from his father.
However, he quite liked it, as he could feel how the Su family differed from other noble families in their ruthlessness.
"Go pack up and spend some time with your mother. After all, this is your first time leaving home for a distant place. She'll be worried," Su Ming said as Su Hao was about to leave.
"I understand," Su Hao replied, taking the transfer order and leaving the hall.
Meanwhile, in an inn in Fu City
A burly man was devouring meat, while beside him sat a thin-faced young man in gray clothes, deep in thought as he looked at a note in his hand.
The burly man was named Pan Ta, and the thin man was Lu Yi. They were both adopted sons of the Western Blood Demon Cult's branch leader, ranking third and fourth respectively.
"Fourth Brother, any news from Big Brother? When are we going to make our move on Su Hao?" Pan Ta asked after swallowing a fist-sized chunk of meat.
"Su Hao of the Su family is heading to Qingyuan County for his new post in a couple of days. That might be our chance to strike," Lu Yi said gravely.
They had arrived in Fu City three days ago, but Su Hao hadn't left the Su mansion once during that time, giving them no opportunity to act.
"Let's deal with this Su Hao quickly so we can return to the prefecture. Father's cultivation is nearly complete. That's when our Blood Demon Cult's Northwest branch will make its full-scale move," Pan Ta said in his deep voice.
"I've been tracking Su Hao's movements. We'll strike as soon as he leaves Fu City," Lu Yi decided after some thought.
He was also eager to eliminate Su Hao quickly and return to the prefecture.
At the Qin Mansion, in Qin Hao's room
"Young Master, I've gathered some information about that Su Hao. The Su family is sending him to be the head constable in Qingyuan County, under Fu City. This might be our chance to strike," a guard reported quietly to Qin Hao.
"Qingyuan County? Isn't that the most remote and poorest county under Fu City? Why would the Su family send him to such a backwater place?" Qin Hao wondered, puzzled.
"Young Master, do you think the Su family has abandoned this Su Hao? After all, I've heard he has poor aptitude. Even with the Su family's resources, he's only reached the third level of the Human Realm. He's quite useless," the guard suggested softly.
"Su Hao, with no talent and a playboy attitude, can only be sent to such a place, I suppose," Qin Hao mused, not finding it strange.
Large families typically allocated resources to more talented family members, abandoning those with poor aptitude. In his view, Su Hao was one of those abandoned.
"Pass this information to the Qingyu Stronghold. This is their chance to act," Qin Hao ordered quietly.
"I'll see to it immediately," the guard replied, quickly leaving the room.
"Su Hao, you ruined my plans last time. Now you'll pay with your life!" Qin Hao said viciously.
Three days ago, after they had returned, Dongfang Mu and Xiao Xianger had left the prefecture to return to the capital. Qin Hao had wanted to persuade them to stay longer, but they had clearly distanced themselves from him, making him hate Su Hao even more.
The next day
Su Hao lazily got out of bed as the sun rose. However, his mother had risen early to prepare things for him, enough to fill half a carriage.
As the saying goes, "A mother worries even when her child travels a thousand miles." Su's mother, with tears in her eyes, saw Su Hao off to the carriage. His father, however, didn't make an appearance.
Two carriages were prepared. The two guards who had been protecting Su Hao earlier each drove one. Su Hao rode in the front carriage, while the other carried the supplies his mother had prepared.
The two guards had been given the Su surname and were now called Su Yuan and Su Neng.
Su Hao sat in the front carriage, which had been renovated to resemble a small room, complete with fruits and a soft couch, making him look like a noble young master out for a picnic.
The carriage slowly left the Su mansion.
"Two Earth Realm level three warriors as guards. We can handle that," two figures emerged from a street corner outside the Su mansion, watching the departing carriages. They were Pan Ta and Lu Yi from the Blood Demon Cult.
"Let's head to Qingfeng Cliff and ambush him there," Lu Yi said coldly, glancing at the departing carriage.
Acting too close to Fu City risked being intercepted, which could alert the Su family. They planned to strike farther from the city, allowing them to quickly retreat after the deed.
After Su Hao's carriage left
In the main hall of the Su mansion, Su Ming stood up, followed by several guards.
"Let's go," Su Ming said. He had decided to secretly escort Su Hao to Qingyuan County and eliminate anyone who might try to harm him.
The carriage moved steadily forward.
Su Hao reclined in the carriage, feeling both excited and nervous.
"I'm so nervous about leaving home for the first time. Maybe I should check in and draw a prize to calm my nerves," Su Hao thought.
"Check in!"
"Host has checked in for the third consecutive day, receiving 40 check-in points. Random reward: 10 taels of silver!"
"10 taels of silver? That's so stingy!" Su Hao was a bit stunned, looking at the 10 taels of silver added to his inventory.
"Let's try drawing a prize again," Su Hao said, eyeing the two bronze draw cards in his inventory with reddened eyes.
"Give me a double draw!"
The two bronze draw cards began to spin.
[Congratulations! You've drawn an antique monocular telescope. It has been added to your inventory.]
[Congratulations! You've drawn the Phantom Yin Finger technique. It has been added to your inventory.]
"A physical item and a technique, not bad!" Su Hao's eyes lit up as he heard the system's voice. He quickly opened his inventory to check these two items.